The defamation lawsuit in opposition to Phoebe Bridgers has been dismissed, it has been reported.
The ‘Punisher’ singer-songwriter was sued by producer Chris Nelson in September 2021. It took place after Bridgers directed her Instagram followers to a thread written by her pal Emily Bannon, which Nelson claimed was defamatory.
Nelson sought $3.8million (£2.8million) in damages, claiming Bridgers “intentionally used her high-profile public platform on Instagram to publish false and defamatory statements” about him “in order to destroy his reputation”.
Responding to the allegations in a sworn declaration this February, Bridgers stated: “I believe that the statements I made in my Instagram story are true. My statements were made based on my personal knowledge, including statements I personally heard Mr. Nelson make.”
Bridgers sought to finish the lawsuit throughout that court docket look, citing California’s anti-SLAPP regulation (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation). The movement filed stated that Nelson was sufficient of a public person who he should show that Bridgers “acted with actual malice”.
Nelson subsequently demanded the correct to depose Bridgers, saying it was the one strategy to show that the musician defamed him. In March, Bridgers’ attorneys referred to as the request “harassment”. A ruling issued on March 29, nevertheless, ordered the singer to sit down for a deposition.
Now, as Pitchfork experiences, a Los Angeles Superior Court decide has dismissed the lawsuit. Per court docket paperwork seen by the outlet, Judge Curtis A. Kin granted Bridgers’ anti-SLAPP movement that she filed earlier this yr.
In an announcement, a spokesperson for the musician stated: “We really feel vindicated that the Court recognised this lawsuit as frivolous and with out advantage.
“It was not grounded in law, or facts, but was filed with the sole intention of causing harm to our client’s reputation and career. This victory is important not just for our client but for all those she was seeking to protect by using her platform.”
Back in August, Judge Kin stated they had been leaning in the direction of throwing the case out (by way of Rolling Stone). “It would seem to me that the posting by Ms. Bridgers is one that is a matter of public interest,” Kin defined.
“It seems to me that her statements on Instagram are statements that concern a person who’s in the public eye, as well as statements that could directly affect a large number of persons beyond Mr. Nelson and Ms. Bridgers.”
Kin went on to say that Nelson’s try and painting himself as a non-public citizen for the needs of anti-SLAPP was “inconsistent” together with his personal lawsuit, as a result of he describes himself as a “well-established” producer.